Bruder CAT Excavator RC conversion pt3: track motors

[@rodcdickerson]

Thank you!! I've been watching rc build videos for over a year trying to figure out some of the electrics and which motors to use, and you are the first that does it in a way that actually helps me. wish I had found your channel sooner.

[@RCModders]

I had much the same sort of problem & really why I make these videos - I try & make videos that I wish someone else had already done! 🙂👍

[@seavee2000]

Impressive-maybe if you put the cab and arm back on you can batter that tree down-it would be quieter than the chainsaws.....always enjoy your videos,not always the way I'd have done it but interesting to see the whole process you go through.

[@RCModders]

😂 these videos are fun to do. I don’t feel constrained by convention, just what I have ordered or have lying around. I’m trying to keep the cost of the parts down and stick to techniques other people can easily duplicate (or probably improve upon) - for some things, the pilar drill or lathe do unavoidably come into play. In the future, if there is a strong demand I could start making the bits that require these tools - although I would probably want to refine the components and fully test the models more before I did that. I agree that the process is interesting - even for me when I see one of my own ‘light bulb’ moments. I will always keep these videos 100 authentic in that respect. The Bruder models are actually becoming easier as I get further into the Bruder designers heads! Thank you for your thoughtful comment 🙂👍

[@andrewcollins6525]

really want to do have a go at this for my son and i. great video

[@RCModders]

You are welcome!😀👍

[@flatbedtrucker]

Awesome job

[@RCModders]

Thank you! 🙂👍

[@TheDaddy187]

that Dremel bit is certainly a winner... the tracks alone looks like a very capable vehicle... reminds me of something you would see on robot wars. have you considered adding some extra tread to the tracks? i cant see them lasting too long before the pavement sands them away... time consuming, but 2 small screws through the end of each track "segment" would stop wear yet still allow enough slip for steering while increasing the bite when moving forward... you would probably only need 1mm of screw protruding... but i would imagine it'll be a like 600 screws though...

[@RCModders]

The tracks are a lot better than I thought they would be, i put the rubber inserts in (which come with all of the Bruder tracked models) and to be honest I think I prefer them without these. They are quite slippery, I may need to think about increasing the grip somehow, they won't go up an unmodified Bruder low loader trailer for instance. Luckily replacement tracks appear to be one of the few spare parts that are readily available - & they are not expensive. I'll see how I go with these 🙂👍

[@RCModders]

Agree about the Dremel bit - really good for course and fine work. Doesn’t melt the plastic like the engraving, stone or sand paper bits. Again thanks for this 🙂👍

[@HabibHisyam]

Nice

[@RCModders]

Thank you! 🙂👍

[@robertrosson1990]

Nice build videos really easy to follow.My question is are you going to be able to locate and install some sort of slew ring between the track base and cab for the turning radius.Thanks for sharing these build videos they really help a lot.

[@RCModders]

Thank you ! 🙂 the existing parts should be ok for the 'slew ring' if I understand properly what that is. However I am going to need to install some sort of gear ring either inside or outside of this. I am looking closely at mt 1/16 RC tanks for a solution to this ......

[@metalminer7827]

Have you done or thought about doing some kind of forklift rc mod video. I think that would be very interesting if it can be done. I had the idea of maybe doing the Tonka metal forklift, what do you think.

[@RCModders]

I have done both a Carson and Dicky one, and interestingly I’ve actually got a Bruder one, in its box waiting in the conversion queue ...... 👍🙂

[@metalminer7827]

Are there videos of those conversions? If not can't wait for the one in queue!

[@shyamyelamarti3113]

Cool job. If i make a all metal excavator of 30 pounds, what RPM motor would u recommend?

[@RCModders]

Thankyou 😁. I think that it depends on the size of the motor, voltage and gear ratios too. I would think you are probably looking at 60 rpm or less and at least 12v. It’s worth comparing the torque of different options. 30 pounds is heavy. I’m using 370 motors - you may need to consider 400 or even 540 ones. All metal RC tank gearboxes may be worth considering - some are very powerful. 😀👍

[@shyamyelamarti3113]

@@RCModders Thanks a million. Highly appreciate your great help. I calculated 60 RPM and thought would check with an expert like you. Now I can move out in confidence :) Will keep you posted once I have some progress.

[@RCModders]

@@shyamyelamarti3113 You are very welcome! 😀👍

[@abgarmiz3218]

what type of esc you use for track

[@rcconstructionincanada3754]

So do you slow the motors down by running it through the speed controller then?

[@RCModders]

Yes. One motor is controlled by an ESC linked to the elevator (right stick up and down), the ESC for the other motor is linked to the aileron control on the transmitter (right stick left and right). Then a 100% mix is applied between the aileron and elevator on the transmitter and a second mix of 100% between the elevator and aileron. The direction of the controls and the mixes (ie plus or minus 100%) is either determined by working it out or trial & error (there are only so many combinations to work through). Hope this helps. 🙂👍

[@rcconstructionincanada3754]

forgive the question if it is silly, but better to ask then wonder.

[@RCModders]

Not silly at all. The first time I did it, I didn’t know if it would work. This is much cheaper than buying a twin ESC with built in mixing (like the Sabretooth kind) and just as good for low power applications in my view.

[@rcconstructionincanada3754]

@@RCModders awesome thank you.

[@stevenshaw5541]

What esc are you using and are they all the same for all channels

[@alangriff1]

How did you decide whether to use 6v or 12v motors?

[@RCModders]

I would have tried the different options (and also looked at price/availability). For these conversions I will only use either 7.4v Lipo or 7.2v NiMh batteries, as everything is cheaper and ESCs dont tend to overheat. I really only use 3s batteries in RTF RC aircraft and drones etc. 😀👍

[@luisfeliu2585]

Buen trabajo

[@RCModders]

gracias! 🙂👍

[@khayfirzufirzu3477]

Hello.i m from malaysia,and i really like all of your vidios. For a long time i searched for a Vidio channel like this, i just faund it....i want to ask, ia this the brudder axcavator, would it be appropriate to use the part that are on the huina excavator..tank you...

[@RCModders]

Thank you! I have never owned a Huina excavator, so I really do not know. I think that the Huina is very different, so I would think that the parts would not fit. 😉👍

[@ianmason4682]

Can I use a dual motor esc and if so which one should I use

[@RCModders]

For the track motor control you could use a sabretooth twin motor ESC, but I used a pair of very cheap single ESCs (like these www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10A-Bustophedon-ESC-Brushed-Speed-Controller-BEC-5V-1A-For-RC-Car-Truck-Boat-FA/113153672041?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 ) and mixed them for track control on my transmitter. I would go with the less expensive solution if you have 2 free mixes on your transmitter. Hope this helps.

[@ianmason4682]

@@RCModders thanks for the help, however, do you need 2 different batteries for both esc s or can I use just one battery?

[@RCModders]

Just one battery (I am running about 6 ESCs off one battery in the excavator I think). Got to make sure that only one of the ESC’s has it’s red wire going to the receiver (disconnect all the others - you can pull the red connectors out of the receiver plugs if you a fan on the plug with a knife). Wire the receivers in parallel to the battery. 🙂👍